Fact Check

Did Rishi Sunak light candles on Downing Street after he became UK Prime Minister?  – Project FactCheck Nigeria

A video of Rishi Sunak, prime minister of the United Kingdom (UK), performing Hindu rites is circulating online.

In the video, Sunak could be seen kneeling outside 11, Downing Street, placing flowers and lighting candles at the doorstep.

Sunak, of Indian descent, is one of the youngest UK PMs at 42 and the first man of color on the seat.

He became prime minister after being elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party, replacing Liz Truss who resigned after heavy criticism of her economic policies.

This claim is false, here are the Facts: 

Our checks revealed that the video in question is not linked to Sunak’s appointment as prime minister. 

The circulating video was taken in 2020 when Sunak was celebrating Diwali, an Indian festival,which usually falls between mid-October and mid-November in the English calendar. 

 

Speaking in the video, he said the lockdown had constrained him to celebrate the Diwali festival at Downing street, instead of India with his family, adding that it was a necessary measure for safety.

Conclusion 

The video of Sunak performing Hindu rites is from November 2020, during the Indian Diwali celebration. It has no link with his appointment as prime minister as claimed.

 

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